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Copy 1 



^ PAGEANT 

of 

RIDGEWOOD, NEW JERSEY 




June Nineteenth, Nineteen Fifteen 



THE BOOK OF 
Mhe Pageant of Ridgewood, M. J. 



MR5.ILANSING P. WOOD 

Pageant Master 



HIGH SCHOOL GROUNDS 

June Nineteenth 
1915 






Copyrighted, 1915 

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 
FRANCES GILCHRIST WOOD 



©C!,A'^nB774 

JUL 19 1915 



Introduction 



THE Pageant of Eidgewood is given by the pupils of the eighth 
grade classes of the Kidgewood Public Schools as the closing 
exercises of the grammar schools in June. Its purpose is to 
bring to the consciousness of the children the fact that "A peo- 
ple, which takes no pride in the noble achievements of its remote 
ancestors, will never achieve anything worthy to be remeni!bered by its re- 
mote descendants." (Macaulay). 

The selection of historical events has been governed by the fact that 
this community has not owed its development either to commerce or manu- 
facture, but is essentially a community of neighbors. The Delaware Indi- 
ans were noted for their hospitality. There was always a welcome for the 
guest to the seat of honor upon the mat, back of the fire. The pioneers of 
sparsely settled Paramus Road were dependent upon neighbors. And as 
old Paramus was a neighborhood of land-holders, so newer Eidgewood is a 
neighborhood of householders with the business in the city. 

The Pageant presents in dramatic form the history of the old Post 
Road, bounding this village east and north, the settlement at Paramus, and 
the later developments of the suburban community of Ridgewood after the 
coming of the railway. The synibolical interludes are intended to express 
the changes wrought by each successive spirit of the age upon the living 
commandment — "ISTeighbors." 



Page three 



The Pageant Direction 

Master of the Pageant 
Mes. Lansing P. Wood 

Composer of Music 
Mrs. H. J. Gadmus 

Director of Music 
Mes. Luva Bailey Rexford 

THE PAGEANT COMMITTEE 

Board of Education 

Dr. H. S. Willard 

Me. Daniel R. Bacon Mr. A. Frank Halsted 

Mr. Ernest M. Bull Mr. John V. Knowlton 

Dro W. C. Craig Mr. Edwin B. Liixy 

Mr. Hadley Ford Mr. Homer S. Pace 



Mr. Ira W. Teavell Superintendent of Schools 

Mr. Joseph C. Fitts Principal of Beecli-Union School 

Mr. Duncan W. Strawbridge Principal of Harrison School 

Mr. Robert S. Myers Principal of Kenilworth School 

Me. Howard H. Reddick Principal of Monroe School 

Teachers and Parents 



HISTORrCAL COMMITTEE. 

Mr. Everett L. Zabriskie^ Judge Cornelius Dormeus, 

Mrs. Frances A. Westervelt^ Rev. John A. Van Ii^este, 

Mr. Richard T. Wilson. 



Fa^e four 



Graduating Classes 



MONEOE SCHOOL 

Chaeles Aeberle Joseph Aloysius Crowley 

Howard George Bradner Leslie F. Hiler 

Albert B. Clark Robert Charles Lichtensteiit 

E. Lester Congdon Charles Henry Nelson 

Henry Costa S. Tuttle Yeomans 

Virginia Baim Gladys Taylor Lynch 

Kathryn Wells Clements Mabel Macdonough 

Florence Norma Corsilia Janet Ann McCook 

Helen Frazer Frances D. Morgan 

Florence Hall Helen Elizabeth Pace 

Anna Helen Hinnes Edna Alice Eyland 

Barbara Hinnes Edythe Zabriskie 
Alice Mae Keil 

HARRISON SCHOOL 

William Barkenbush John Douglas Dewar 

Paul Ten Eyck Campbell Melvin Sylsbuey 

William Vassar Volger 

Margaret Agnes Keeley Ida Pries 

Grace Black Pearston Edith Mildred Smith 

BEECH-UNION SCHOOL 

Edgar Thomas Ashworth William Heydt Lomar 

Walter Ernest Bolte Donald Moore 

Leonard John Brunie Dan Pattison 

Harry C, Brunie Leonard Peter Sullivan 

Charles Freeman Clark Donald Zabriskie Terhune 

Charles Willis Dean Harry Tice 

Theodore Fritz Winthrop Travell 
Theodore Price Walstkum 

Page five 



BEECH-UNION SCHOOL— Continued 



Janet Perry Allen 
Viola Lillian Almquist 
Helen Lee Butler 
Ruth Elizabeth Fekres 
Bernadine Fielding 
Agnes C. Fox 
Eunice Genne 
Dorothy Hills Kirk 
JoHNNiCE Doris Miller 



Mary Elizabeth Mitchell 
Cecelia Lucy McIS[4.mara 
Fannie A. Pearsall 
Dorothy May Pearsall 
Dorothy Seydel Slade 
Edna Marion Surpi.ess 
Dorothy Louise Turner 
Margaret Marij n Waddell 
Margery Willard 



KEmLWORTH SCHOOL 



Clarke Bingham 
Edward Burger 
John Delamater 
George Etesse 
Donald Grimley 
George Kohl 
Edward Maass 

Isabel Blauvelt 
Carolyn Bull 
Alberta Carlock 
Mae Denio 
Anna Hanhan 
Edna Martin 
Lois Merrill 



David Moneypenny 
Frank Nutry 
Gray Reinbrecht 
Charles Shaw 
Ellsworth Vanderbeck 
Walter Vanderbeck 
Harry West 

Helen Miles 
Gladys Myer 
Ruth Peniston 
Margaret Stege 
Mabel Verhoeff 
Dorothy Win'J'Ers 
Marion Winters 



Fa£e six 



Episodes of Pageant 

Pkologue — 'The Coming of the Spirit of Neighbors. 

EPISODE I. 
'The Old Post Road. 

ScEisTE 1 — Kidnapping by the Indians and Gift of Land. 
Scene 2 — ^Th'e Founding of Paramus Church. 
Scene 3 — ^The Husking Bee. 

Inteklude I. — ^The Duel for Freedom. 

EPISODE II. 

The Highway of the Wae 

Scene 1 — ^Washington's Retreat Across the Jersies. 
Scene 2 — ^The Tory Neighbors. 
Scene 3 — ^Wedding of Aaron Burr. 
Scene 4 — How Ridgewood Happened. 

Interlude II. — ^The Quarrel Between Neighbors. 

EPISODE III. 

Scene 1 — The Flag on the Old Church. 
Scene 2— The Village Near the City. 

Interlude III. — The Coming of the City. 

EPISODE IV. 

Scene 1 — ^Ridgewood Organizing. 

FINALE 

The League of Neighbors of the World. 

Page seven 



Prologue 



A tribe of Minsy Indians set their one night oamp at the edge of the 
wood. 

The women build the fire, grind corn and put succotash on to boil. The 
braves watch the boys' game. Suddenly one gives the alarm that strangers 
are coming, who prove to be visiting friendly Indians. They are welcomed, 
given the seat of honor, and smoke the peace pipe. After the evening meal 
the chief, Mamshier, tells stories. He tells of the passing of the winter 
Manitou, Peboan, who in the hunger moon sat starving on the furs on the 
floor of his tepee. (As the story is told it is enacted on the hills back of 
the camp.) An Indian maiden entered carrying a great bundle of willow 
buds in her arms. Her dress was of grass and early maple leaves. Her 
eyes were like the young deer. Her hair was like the blackest feathers of 
a crow and it was so long that it was like a blanket over her shoulders. She 
was small and her feet were hidden in two moccasin flowers. 

"Menabozho has heard the prayer of Peboan, the winter Manitou. He 
has sent me. I am Seguin." 

''You are welcome, Seguin. 'Sit by my fire — it is warm. I have no 
meat. Sit down and tell me what you can do." 

"Peboan may tell first what he can do," said Seguin. 

Peboan said, "I am a winter Manitou. I blow my breath and the 
flowers die ; the waters stand still ; the leaves fall and die." 

Seguin said, "I am a summer Manitou. I blow my breath and the 
flowers open their eyes. The waters follow me on my trail." 

Peboan said, "I shake my hair and the snow falls on the mountain 
like the feathers of Waubese, the great white swan." 

Seguin said, "I shake my hair and the warm rain falls from the 
clouds. I call and the birds answer me. The mountains put on their 
white veils. The trees put on their leaves and the grass grows thick like 
the fur of a bear. The summer sky is my tepee." 

Peboan's head bent over his shoulder. Seguin waved her hands over 
him and a strange thing happened. Peboan grew smaller and smaller ; his 

Page eight 



deer skin clothes turned to leaves and covered Peboan on the ground. The 
winds and the rains danced the April dance of Spring and blew Peboan 
away, and all the creatures of nature danced in rejoicing that Peboan, the 
Manitou of Winter, had gone. 

As Seguin leads them through the maze of figures of ''the Growing 
Time" in the Carnival of Spring, she beckons to the Indian children 
around the camp fire, who slip up the hillside and join the dance. 

A runner comes breathlessly from the right and tells the startled camp 
that a strange ship has come from the Place of Breaking Light and that 
strange men with pale faces are invading their hunting grounds. The In- 
dians break camp hurriedly. The Chief stands watching on the hilltop. 
A pioneer and his family enter and look about them for a place to make 
their home. As they climb ujd the hill all the wildwood creatures come 
from their hiding places and angrily try to drive the intruders away. The 
man defends his family but cannot protect them from attack on all sides. 
He cries aloud for help and hears an answering shout down the valley 
from another pioneer, who runs to his assistance, leaving his family to fol- 
low. Together they drive away the hostile nature forces and the first pion- 
eer turns in gratitude to his helper, when the second family is heard to cry 
for deliverance from the Spirits of the Wilderness. Both men run to their 
aid, and as rapidly ao possible bring the two families together in order suc- 
cessfully to protect them both. The Mists of Time drift down the slope 
toward the pioneers and in a dance of rejoicing and congratulation reveal 
the Spirit of Neighbors born of their struggle together for the common 
good. 

Reverently the pioneer neighbors receive the Spirit and give her the 
place of honor among them. Even the Red Men feel the neighborly influ- 
ence and come near. It touches Nature and the Spirits of the Lowlands 
offer their help to the pioneers. The wildflowers dance with the Indian 
children, who shyly beckon to the children of the pioneers and all dance 
together while the Echoes sing "Away to the Woods," untU the mothers, 
returning, call the children. 'The indian children run down the trail and 
the nature spirits become invisible when there are no children to see. The 
Echoes repeat the song far away. 



Pa^e nine 



Fa^e ten 



i^ Pageant of Ridgewood, N. J. 

EPISODE I. 



Pa0e eleven 



Page twelve 



niie Pageant of Ridge\\?ood, N. J. 

EPISODE I. 

Scene 1. Part 1. 

Albrecht Sobieski, cousin of Joliii, King of Poland, and exiled with 
him, came to Bergen Oounty on the Dutch ship "Fox" in 1662. His old- 
est son, Jacob, is reputed to have been stolen bj the Indians and kept with 
the tribe for twelve years, 'becoming a valued interpreter. On the boy's 
return to his father the Indians gave him title to a tract of land, called, on 
an old surveyor's map, "The ISTew Paramus Patent." (Wearimus tract). 
This is the Paramus Highlands (later known as Chestnut Eidge) lying 
east of the Saddle River and crossed by the old Post Road. 

Ridgewood is built upon the grant of five hundred acres made by the 
Lord Cartaret to Samuel Kingsland in 168Y. The land was sold to Peter 
Johnson for the sum of thirty-two pounds and ten shillings, and in 1698 to 
Johann Van Emburgh, who built the first house in 1700. Some of his de- 
scendants still have their homes upon this land. 

EPISODE I. 

Scene 1. Part 2. 

1685. Paramus Highlands. 

Albrecht Sobieski, riding along the trail from Hackensack, dismounts 
and stealthily climbs the hill, searching for some sign of the Indians he 
suspects of having stolen his son. Oranachop and his tribe file out of a 
nearby ravine, following the trail south, Jacob behind the chief. 

Jacob (calling to indian hoy in rear). 

Is that the river where you caught the fish ? 

The chief signs for silence. 'Sobieski, recognizing his son's voice, drops 
into a wooded hollow and surprises the chief as he reaches the opening of 
the ravine. As the Indians make a dash for the woods with the 'boy, the 
pioneer lifts his gun. 

Sohieski. 

Hold! Hold, or I fire! 

Oranachop {halting as if to parley). 

What is it the white chief asks ? 

Page thirteen 



Sohieshi. 

Why have you stolen my son ? 

Oranachop. 

We were not acting in the dark. We have taken him to live with us 
for a time so that he may know our speech and ways. The boy is content. 

Sohieshi. 

'This is the talk of the forked tongue. Why did you not ask him from 
me, his father ? There has always been peace between us. 

Oranuchop. 

Oh, white chief, you would not have let him come for the asking. 
(Steps forward speaking passionately). The white men are coming from 
across the great water and like a black cloud of insects settling down over 
our land. We have taken one of your own tribe to live our life and speak 
our tongue that he may show the white man the Indian's heart and so, it 
may be, save our home and hunting ground for our children. 

{As Sohieshi stands thinhing, the chief hrings Jacoh forward.) 

Here is the youth. Let him make choice. 

(Jacoh stands hetween the two and as he turns toward his father the 
indian hoy slips to his side, offering him his own how and arrow). 

Jacoh. 

I will come bacfk when I have learned all the Indians have to tell me. I 
can swim now and yesterday I almost shot a ralbbit. 

Sohieshi (slowly). 

So be it, Oranachop. I have your meaning. But your life will pay if 
the boy comes to harm. 

Oranachop. 

I will pay. Also we will give him of our hunting grounds for a home 
when he returns to his own people. This belt of wampum is the word of 
Oranachop. (To scout) Bring the pipe of friendship. (They smohe the 
pipe in ratification of the agreement). 

Sohieshi. 

I have brought presents and pledges of peace with me. (Brings in 
horse and takes from pach fathoms of wampum, white and hlach, peltries, 
clothing, rum and implements of hu^handry). These shall also bind the 
bargain for the land. 

(As Sohieshi leaves, Oranachop turns to the tribe, speahing with great 
solemnity). 

Page fourteen 



Oranachop. 

Oh, men of the Minsey tribe, you have heard and seen. This boy is to 
me as a blood brother. In proof of this I give the word of a Delaware 
chief that in the war 'between the Swanekins (Dutch) and the English, 
sooner than let the 'boy demean himself by the shame of capture, I will kill 
him with my own hands. {They follow the trail into the woods). 



EPISODE I. 

Scene 2. Part 1. 

The early settlers of New Jersey were a religious folk and to that fact 
this country owes much of its staibility of character. The land on which 
Paramus Church was built in 1735 was given by Peter Faircouier, in 
consideration of which Church Article 3 recites, "Peter Faircouier shall 
have seats for himself and wife for a continued possession for themselves 
and their heirs. These shall be exempt from all charges by the church, 
except the minister's salary, as an acknovp'ledgment of their donation of the 
land on which the church is 'built." Article 4 makes the following pro- 
vision: "There shall remain five or six free seats for the old and deaf, 
where the church masters think best." 

The first building was of stone, and octagonal in shape. The steeple 
was in the center with the bell rope hanging down in the middle of the 
church. 

Among the members in 1735 were: 

Peter Faircouier his wife 

Jacob Zabriskie Jannetje " 

Harmon Lutkins Annetje " " 

Garret Hopper 

Jost Bogert Maria " " 

Abram Westervelt Annetje " " 

Garret Ackerman Rachel " " 

Abram Eutan Margaret] e " " 

B. Demarest Ritchje " " 

Washington made Paramus his headquarters at times during the War 
of the Revolution, and the church building served both as hospital and 
prison. As a consequence of its hard usage, it had to be rebuilt after the 
war. The old church has played a stirring part in the community's his- 
tory and is a power still. 

Page fifteen 



EPISODE I. 

Scene 2. Part 2. 

1735. Site of Paramus Churcli. 

The neighbors of Paramus Plains assemWe on April 21, 1735, to laj 
the corner stone of Paramus Church. They arrive on foot, on horseback^ 
and in wagons, seated in high backed chairs which are taken out to serve 
as seats for the congregation. The weather (being still cold, they bring 
their footstoves. The men, carrying their muskets, discuss the crops and 
the neighborhood news as they await the arrival of the Dominie. 

A hoy gallops in on horseback. 

"Where's the voorleser ? The Acquackanonk is bank full and has 
swept the bridge out. Dominie Van Driessen is on the other side and can't 
get across." 

The men confer with the voorleser and decide to go on with the cere- 
mony of laying the corner stone. The congregation stand beside their 
chairs while the voorleser with his face buried in his hat, breathes a silent 
prayer for help and guidance. He lines out the Psalm, then gets the pitch 
with a tuning fork and raises the tune. It proves to be too high and the 
singing is stopped and a new start made, with a rather disjointed and dis- 
connected result. The collection bag for church support is passed, the lit- 
tle bell rousing the attention of sleepy members. 

The voorleser reads the solemn liturgy beginning, "We are assembled 
here in the name of the Triune God, Father, Son and Holy Ghost, to lay 
the corner stone of a house to be erected to His honor and service and 
praise." The corner stone is lifted into place by four men and Paramus 
Church is established for its long life of usefulness. At the conclusion of 
the ceremony a second collection is taken, this time for the poor, and the 
congregation dismissed with a hymn. 

EPISODE I. 

Scene 3. 

1774. The Husking Bee. 

Two young men bring to the barn floor shocks of corn, piling them up 
in the center. The girls of the house bring pitchers of cider and plates of 
Dutch crullers, and welcome the arriving neighbors. The race to husk the 
first basketful of corn is, interrupted by the finding of a red ear with its 
consequences. The fodder and baskets are cleared away and the floor 
swept for the dance. The fiddler arrives, is perched on a high seat, and 
the dance begins. 

Pa£e sixteen 



Interlude I. 

Into the rollicking tune of ''Pop goes the weasel" comes the discordant 
note of Tyranny. The Mists of Time scarcely hide his bulky figure as he 
strides threateningly forward. The men, hastily putting the women be- 
hind them, face the Spirit of the Age shoulder to shoulder as the music 
sounds the neighbor motif like a trumpet call. 

The Mists of the Future swiftly descend the hillside and from their 
midst leaps the Spirit of Freedom, who draws his sword and meets Tyran- 
ny in mortal combat. Out of the discords of the battle-music suddenly 
emerges the clear neighbor motif as Tyranny is driven from the field. 
Freedom draws a banner from his breast, fastens it to a pioneer's musket 
as to a staff and leads them to the hilltop, singing The Flower of Liberty. 



Pa^e seventeen 



Pa^e eighteen 



fS Pageant of Ridgewood, N. J. 

EPISODE 11. 



Pao'e ?iineteen 



Pa£e twenty 



The Pageant of Ridgewood, N. J. 

EPISODE II. 

Scene 1. Part 1. 

Under date of Deceml^er 16, 1776, the following appears in the New 
York Gazette and Weekly Mercury, printed by Hugh Gaines at the Bible 
& Crown, Hanover Square (whose ''printer" became a tory after the occu- 
pation of New York City by the British) : 

"The Shattered Remains of the Refeel Army, 'tis said, are got over into 
the Jersies. Humanity can but pity a set of poor misguided Men who are 
thus led on to Destruction by despicable and desperate Leaders against 
every Idea of Keason and Duty, and without the least Prospect of Success." 

''The Rebels are everywhere mouldering away like a Rope of Sand. 
"With the most impudent Bravadoes they have not yet had the Spirit to 
make anything like a Stand in a single encounter. The New England 
People have neither money nor Recruits ; and the rest of the Colonies are 
nearly drained of their Resources." 

Jan 20, 1777;, "Mr. Washington, with about two thousand poor 
Wretches who can get no Subsistence hut by following him, has fled across 
New Jersey to Pennsylvania." 

EPISODE II. 

ScEiYE 1. Part 2. 

1776-7 — Paramus Road. 

Rumors of a raid by the tories have warned a Jerseyman and his fami- 
ly to seek possible safety with a neighbor. They have buried their few 
treasures and take such provisions as they can carry with them. The 
boy, running ahead to the turn of the road, stops suddenly and runs back 
at greater speed, crying, "The army ! the army !" The sound of a fife and 
drum is heard. As the father catches up the smallest child and leads the 
way to the river crossing, the boy protests. "No, No ! It's Washington ! 
I saw him !" 

A detachment of the retreating army marches north along Paramus 
Road, Washington, with resolute face and bearing, rides at the head of 
his hungry, disheartened army. Ragged, barefooted, scarcely a whole uni- 
form among them, they follow their leader and a seemingly hopeless cause. 
Many of them mutter in sullen resentment to each other. 

Page twenty-one 



The boy begs some food from bis mother and the basket is soon emptied 
by the hungry soldiers. They warn the Jerseyman that the Hessians are 
close behind them. 

After the army has passed, the family cross the road to hide in the 
woods. The boy stands looking after them, turns to go, then runs back, 
calling out, "Tell Washington " 

A soldier in the straggling rear guard stops to listen. 

"Tell Washington I'll help him fight when I grow up !" 

The soldier waves his hand as both march away, and the music of the 
fife and drum try to cheer the discouraged army. 

EPISODE 11. 

Scene 2. Part 1. 

New Jersey, the debatable ground between the two armies in New 
York and Pennsylvania, suft'ered, not only from raids by the Hessians, 
but also from the tory neighbors in their midst. The New York Gazette 
of January 20, 1777, tells of the successful raids of "A party of New Jer- 
sey Volunteers, under the command of Colonel Abraham Van Buskirk, 
who has been distinguished for his loyal attachment to King and Consti- 
tution. 

"They (the colonials) have every prospect of a Famine, as their last 
Crop of Wheat is more entirely blasted than has ever been known in the 
Memory of Man. 

"Many begin to draw back (from enlisting) from a strong Preposses- 
sion that Independence and Ruin are closely united ! In short, the whole 
Course of Things has 'been so much against the Cause, that, to use the im- 
pious Expression of one of their Preachers before his Audience, 'it seems 
as if God Almighty was really turned Tory.' " 

Hopperstown (now Hohokus) on the old Post Road was settled by 
John Hopper in 1724. Two of the family, General Henry Hopper and 
Captain Garrett Hopper, were officers in the Colonial Army. Their 
homes, the Mansion House and the Stone House above the bridge, are still 
standing. 



b' 



EPISODE II. 

Scene 2. Part 2. 

1777. Hopperstown. The Post Road and grounds before the Man- 
sion House and Stone House. 

Captain Garret Hopper, wounded and lame, and General Henry Hop- 
per, his cousin, arrive on a furlough. They are welcomed by their fami- 

Page twenty-two 



lies and enter their respective homes. In a short time Abraham Van Bus- 
kirk and his torj raiders ride up. 

VanBushirh (shouting roughly to serving man). 

Here you ! Where's your master ? 

Servant (frightened). 

I do — don't know, sir. 

VanBv^Mrk. 

Well, go in the hausen and tell him to come out here. 

Mrs. Hopper (coming from house). 

Ah, Colonel VanBuskirk, how come jou on? It is such a hot day. 
Leave your horses and rest awhile. (To servant.) Bring pitchers of apple- 
jack and steins, and have the women fix some ham and rye bread sand- 
wiches, and a plate of those fresh olekokes and the hot ginger bread. 

VanBuslxirh and men dismount, are served and eat heartily. Mrs. 
Hopper keeps the steins well filled and is most gracious and entertaining. 
The men become visibly mellowed in manner. 

Servants pass along the road below the house carrying two feather beds. 

Mrs. Hopper. 

Ah, see what the tavern law has done for me. "Two extra feather 
beds" must I keep besides "extra room in pasture, stable and house." 
(Speaking to men). Jacob, take those beds to the stone house across the 
mill race and bring back the pair with clean ticks from the upper spare 
room. 

VariBushii'l'. 

Mrs. Hopper, you have been very friendly and kind to us, but now we 
will have to go through the hausen to see if relbels might be there. 

Mrs. Hopper. 

To be sure, Col. VanBuskirk. 

They go in. As soon as they have disappeared ivithin the house. Gen. 
Hopper is seen slipping through the woods from the Mansion House. He 
comes to the ravine as the servants reach the pkice with their burden. 
Hurriedly removing the top feather bed, they help the wounded Captain 
to his feet and both hurry away into the woods. The disappointed tories 
come from the Mansion House, showing their anger as they mount and 
ride away. The servants, returning with the beds, are eagerly questioned 
by Mrs. Hopper, and assure her of her husband's escape. They are joined 
by the General's wife, who leads the Captains wife home rejoicing over 
the strategy that has saved their husbands from capture. 

Fag", twenty-three 



EPISODE II. 

Scene 3. Paet 1. 

In the fall of 1777 Aaron Burr and his regiment were detailed for 
scouting duty in New Jersey with headquarters at Eamapo. One of the 
numerous engagements with the Hessian raiders took place near the Little 
Hermitage. Then and there Burr first met the fascinating Theodosia de 
Visme Prevost, the widow of a British Colonel. In 1778-9, while in com- 
mand of the Westchester lines, thirty miles away, Burr would cross the 
Hudson after dark, with his horse thrown and hohbled in the bottom of 
the boat, ride twenty miles through the enemy's country to see the widow, 
and get back into camp before daybreak. It is a popular tradition that 
they were married in the Paramus Church, July 28, 1782. ^ 

EPISODE II. 
Scene 3. Part 2. 

July 28, 1782. The Little Hermitage (now Rosencrantz House, 
Franklin Turnpike). 

After their wedding in the old Paramus Church, Aaron Burr and his 
bride drive up to the Little Hermitage. They are surprised with a recep- 
tion by their neighbors, who have discovered the cause of the errand to the 
Church and who greet them with congratulations and rice. 

Among the other guests Burr discovers his old friend, Col. Popham. 

Col. Popham. 
Ah, Colonel, I congratulate you both. One more instance of your bril- 
liant tactics — you have stolen a march on us. 

Col. Burr. 
Ah but, Colonel, you have captured our forces by countermarching. 
( After much laughter and applause another of Burr's military friends 
steps forward and reads to the company a poem beginning:/ 
From the commandant's quarters on Westchester height 
The blue hills of Ramapo lie in full sight ; 

On their slope gleam the gables that_ shield his heart's queen. 
But the Redcoats are wary — ^the Hudson's between. 
Through the camp runs a jest: ^'There's no moon — 'tw'.ll be dark; 
. 'Tis odds little Aaron will go on a spark !" 
And the toast of the troopers is : "Pi(ikets lie low. 
And good luck to the colonel and widow Provost." 

He hands the verses to the bride amid much merriment and claims her 
as his partner for the minuet. After the dance they are bidden to the din- 
ing room and go out to the wedding supper. 

Page twenty -foiLV 



EPISODE 11. 
Scene 4. Part 1. 

When in 1812 Fulton superintended the construction of steam ferries 
across the Hudson, a new era opened for New Jersey. The safety and 
speed of crossing made the two states practically one and railway develop- 
ment began. 

The Paterson and Ramapo R. R. Company built a single track line 
from Paterson through Godwinville (now Ridgewood) to the New Jersey 
and New York State Line in 1847. The second track was laid in 186'5 
and the third and fourth tracks in 1902 and 1903. The terminus at tide- 
water previous to 1861 was at Weehawken, through the Paterson & Hud- 
son R. R. ; but the railroad in that year was extended through the Long 
Dock Company's tracks direct to the river. 

EPISODE II. 

ScKNE 4. Paet 2. 

1846. Present site of Ridgewood business section. 
A surveying corps crosses the swamp, running a line due north, 
A man from Godwinville (formerly Newtown, now Wortendyke) comes 
from the West. 

Oodwinville Citizen. 
Well, young fellow, what are you about ? 

Surveyor. 
Locating a railway line. 

Godwinville. 
A railway ! Where's it going to ? 

Surveyor. 
Suffeiti, Ramapo way. 

A man from Paramus comes from the East. 
Paramus Citizen. 
Where's it coming from ? 

Surveyor. 
Paterson. 

Paramus. 
What on earth would a body want a railroad through here for ? 

Insert 



Surveyor. 

Shorten the route for the gre^t through line from New York to Dun- 
kirk. 

Paramus. 

That's your reason. What's the good of a road to us ? 

Surveyor. 

Give you young fellows a chance to go to town and see the sights. Ever 
hear of New York City? Happen to know that there's 307,000 people 
living there ? 

Godwinville. 

Well, if your railroad is to use, why don't you build it convenient? 
There's nobody lives in this mudhole but the frogs. Come over by God- 
winville. Ever hear of Wortendyke's Candle Wicking mill? Happen to 
know we sell it all over the United States and ship direct to both China 
and Japan ? 

Paramus. 

Why don't you build over by Paramus where the town is ? This place 
is nothing but a swamp on a cross road from the Goffle to the Post Road. 

Surveyor. 

Because Paramus is too far east. Godwinville is too far west. Orders 
are to go straight through — the mud hole. {To flagman) All right, go. 
ahead. 

Godwinville and Paramus citizens have in disgust. 

Note: In 1855 Captain Dayton hired a man to ditch and draw the 
swamp, paying 37^c per working day (from sun up to sun down). 



Interlude II. 

Two neighbors meet with friendly greetings. In the course of conver- 
sation a question of ownership) arises, uJDon which there is a difference of 
opinion. The difference soon grows into a quarrel and as it grows more 
angry the mists gather ahove them. As they float down towards the valley 
the Lord of Wrong creeps over the top of the ridge and the music crashes 
into battle sounds as it ushers in the big, brutal figure of War. The Spirits 
of Wrong influence the quarrel to greater bitterness while War stands im- 
passively waiting. At last the neighbors with final threats of defiance 
rush back to ISTorth and South and returning with rifles kneel and take aim 
at each other. Swiftly out of the ISTorth and South comes a woman with 
children, who kneel before War, imploring. War answers with a single ges- 
ture — reaching forth his arm toward the fighting neighbors with cruel de- 
liberation he turns his thumb down. The neighbors fire and fall. War stalks 
into the foreground with exultant gestures and in triumphal march goes 
on. Behind him follow Grief, Famine, Despair, humbled Civilization, the 
crippled Future and the rest of the sad train. The sorrowing figures of 
Humanity help the widows bear away their dead. Just over the hilltop 
the Spirits of Wrong lie in wait. 



Page twenty -five 



Tage twenty-six 



fS Pageant of Ridgewood, N. J. 

EPISODE III. 



Page tiventy-seven 



Pa^e twenty -eight 



ni\e Pageant of Ridge^ood, N. J. 

EPISODE III. 

Scene 1. Part 1. 

In the 60'Sj Union Hall (now Paramus Church Chapel) was built by 
the ReiDublicans, and the first speech delivered within its walls was by 
Horace Greeley. 

An old block house, east of Hohokus, was the drill room of the ISTation- 
al Guard of Hohokus, of which Abram VanEmburgh was captain. When 
the company enlisted for the Civil War and became part of the 22nd Regi- 
ment, Capt. VanEmT^urgh was put in command as Colonel. This hall was 
also the meeting place of the Society for the Promulgation of Education 
in Bergen County — apparently in the principles of the Democrats, since 
it was their headquarters. 

EPISODE III. 

Scene 1. Part 2. 

The morning after Fort Sumter was fired on, Dominie Corwin fastened 
a flag to a pole and thrust it out of the belfry of old Paramus Church. 
When the congregation came to church the following Sunday they found 
Old Glory waving in the breeze above them. Some of the members object- 
ed, telling the pastor that it was not right to have the flag there as long as 
some of the congregation held different opinions, and that he must take it 
down. Two patriotic members, William Ranlett and John Jacob Zabris- 
kie, approved of the Dominie's action, and told him to keep it on the steeple 
and that they would protect him. A committee of the objecters called on 
Mr. Corwin and demanded the removal of the flag before next Sabbath's 
services. In the meantime Mr. Ranlett armed and equipped twenty-five 
men at his own expense. 

On the following Sunday the congregation assembles, with certain of 
its members missing. The committee approaches the pastor and the chair- 
man speaks : 

Chairman. 
Dominie Corwin, we told you that flag must come down and it's com- 
ing down now. 
/ They start toward the church.) 

Page twenty-nine 



Dominie Corwin. 
And I told jou our flag should wave above us until this v^ar is over. 

Men. 
Well, it won^t. It's coming down now. 

Dominie Corwin {raising his voice). 

I have twenty-five men here who will help me j)rotect it. The first man 
who touches that flag to tear it down will be shot ! 

The company of men made up of the missing members marches to the 
front of the church, barring the way to the door. They stand silently "at 
attention." In the midst of consternation and excitement the committee 
and symapthizers gather together their families and leave, some never to 
return. The Dominie enters the church, followed by the women and chil 
dren. 

The Captain faces the company. 

Boys, three cheers for Old Glory and then we'll go to church. 

They all cheer, then file into the church still carrying their guns. 

N"ote : — The flag lasted half a year and was replaced by others until 
the close of the war. 



EPISODE III. 

'Scene 2. Part 1. 

The rolling stock of the Paterson section of what is now the Erie Rail- 
way at first consisted of "three splendid and commodious cars, each capa- 
ble of accommodating thirty passengers, drawn by fleet and gentle horses ; 
a rapid and delightful mode of travelling." 

When the change was made to steam power it must have been with 
many misgivings, for it was advertised that "The steam and horse cars 
are so intermixed that passengers may make their selection, and the timid 
can avail themselves of the latter, twice a day." The locomotive was the 
old "Grasshopper Engine" with its walking beam, loping along like its 
predecessor, the running indian. 

In 1866 there were but three or four buildings in Ridgewood. The 
first station was a freight car. Mr. Cornelius Shuart was station agent 
and Mr. Benj. F. Robinson, postmaster (salary $10 per annum). Mrs. 
Cornelia Dayton suggested the change of name from Godwinville to Ridge- 
wood. 

Pa^e thirty 



EPISODE III. 
Scene 2. Part 2. 
1866. Eidgewood Station. 

Mr. Benj. F. Do i yton . ^ J^:^-z^e^-¥' .r:H ■ 
Good morning, Mrs. Dajton. 

Mrs. Cornelia Dayton. 

Good morning, Mr. Robinson. 

Mr. Bohinson. 

Well, the Erie R. R. has given in at last. Various packages came in 
on the 9 :20 this morning mai^ked Ridgewood instead of Godwinville. 

Mrs. Dayton. 

'That is good news indeed. Let me see, it is just six years, is it not, 
since we first requested them to make the change ? 

Mr. Bohinson. 

Yes, and for one year Uncle Sam has made them drop mail hags marked 
"Ridgewood" on this station platform. 'The Erie is a queer road in some 
ways. 

Mrs. Dayton,. 

Oh, don't say that — ^what would Ridgewood 'be without the Erie ? — 
nothing at all ! 

A countryman comes down the road with his children hanging to his 
coat and crying. 

Mrs. Dayton. 
Why, what is the matter ? 

Girl. 
Father's going to the City and we may never see him again. 

Countryman. 

It's all nonsense. I want to go into the city to see the sights I've heard 
about, and the whole family's scared to death. 

Countryman's wife. 
Do you thing it's quite safe, sir ? 

Pa£e thirty-one 



Mr. Robinson. 
Why certainly. Why not ? 

Countryman s wife. 
Oh, sir, if he would only walk in. A car going hy steam is against 
nature. Mrs. Blank of Paterson walked all the way in last week, and 
bought her hat and walked home again. 

Countryman. 
Yes, and walked in next day and took it back again and then walked 
out — and her shoes into the bargain. Just like a woman ! 

Mr. Robinson. 
I'm sure it's perfectly safe. It was only last year the Erie constructed 
a telegraph line through the tunnel to signal warning of coming trains at 
either end. thus avoiding collisions. 

ilf rs. Dayton. 
And there is so much to see in the city. 'Stewart's Marble Palace is 
the largest drygoods store in the world — 152 feet on Broadway and 100 
back on Chambers street. I have been told that they employ no less than 
350 salesmen and clerks in their wholesale and retail departments to- 
gether. 

Girl 
Oh, father ! I want to go with you. 

Neighbor. 
And the city is growing so large that Tiffany's Fancy and Curiosity 
store has moved uptown to 441 Broadway. But no one needs to walk. 
There are five lines of commodious city cars drawn by horses and mules — 
one to 23rd, one to 27th, and three clear up to 59th street. The streets are 
paved all the way up to 44th street. 
(Astonishment). 

Mr. 8huart. 

Some of the buildings are six stories high ! And the new St. Nicholas 
hotel has 600 rooms. Then just think of the private houses costing from 
fifty to two hundred thousand dollars ! 

All 
Oh! 

Mr. Shuart. 
Well, sir, you will have to hurry. There comes the 9 :29 express. The 
next train is the mail at 6 :40 this afternoon. 

Countryman's family hurries out. Little girl crying. 
Don't go, father. Oh, I mean, take me too ! 

Page thirty-two 



Interlude III. 



Paramus appears on tlie highlands looking off toward the sea. 

Behind her the jSTature Spirits slip out of the edge of the woods. 

The Mists of Time sweep orer the hills, then swirl away and Manhat- 
tan stands silhouetted against the horizon line. She 'brings with her a fam- 
ily of city dwellers. Beholding Paramus across the valley, she calls : 

All hail ! Paramus of the Highlands. 

Paramus. 
Hail and welcome! Manhattan by the Sea. 

3fanhaUa7i. 

Also your welcome for these my children. North, south, west, and 
from across the waters their fathers come to fill my market place. But the 
young cJiildren thrive not in the crowd. Will you give them room in the 
pure air of your Highlands ? 

Paramus. 

Aye, Manhattan, we cannot refuse the children. It was for their chil- 
dren's sake our fathers endured all hardships to win this land for a home. 

Mayihattan. 

Also, Paramus, I bring many inventions to light, to drain, to pave your 
streets, and swift flying trains between your hills and my market place for 
the father, whose new name shall be the commuter. 

Param,us. 

So 'be it, Manhattan. But in your eagerness for the new, forget not old 
virtues. I will share with you the quiet home of my fathers where for gen- 
erations our roots have gone deep into the place of dwelling. On your 
part, oh Manhattan, tax your invention, I charge you, to create in dcublc- 
measure the spirit of a sense-of-home for those whose feet wander. 

Manhattan: 
What mean you, Paramus ? 

Page thirty-three 



Paramtis. 

Oh, Manhattan, it is the passing of the old and the coming of the new, 
and it is well. Loyalty to the market place the man must have or business 
suffers. Loyalty to his home, the training place of his children, he must 
also have or they and the future suffer grievously. If we keep not the lode- 
star of home and neighbors to guide us we are lost. The place of ridges 
and woods is what we all of us make it, for we are Ridgewood. Lo, even 
now she comes ! 

All hail ! Ridgewood. 

Manhattan. 
All hail ! Ridgewood. 

Ridgewood. 
Hail to ye both ! 

Manhattan. 

Oh. Paramus of the Highlands, I hear and I will remember. 

The city dwellers salute Ridgewood, who gives them the freedom of her 
health-giving hills and valleys. As she waves her hand in gesture of wel- 
come the birds and the flowers and all nature come out to dance with the 
children and lure them into the beauty of the hills among the trees. 



Page thirty-four 



Pageant of Ridgewood, N. J. 

EPISODE IV. 



Page thirty-five 



Page thirty-six. 



niie Pageant of Ridgewood, N. J. 



EPISODE IV. 
Scene 1. Paet 1. 

"If our national genius is for organization, then our national game is 
not baseball, 'but going on committees. It has been said that if three Amer- 
icans have an idea in common, the best known immediately becomes presi- 
dent, the richest treasurer, and the most able, secretary. There is hardly 
a family without a memiber on some committee or in some club, lodge, un- 
ion or circle." 

Clubs and societies are not only the national sport, they are the nation- 
al and only school of democracy. The newly arrived immigrant who joins 
the insurance and social club of his neighborhood soon gets an understand- 
ing of what the rule of the majority means and why, as well as the differ- 
ence 'between the steam-roller and consent-of-the-governed kinds. We all 
of us pay our dues — that is to say, our tuition fees — to our clubs and com- 
mittees and educate ourselves. 



We are told that the migration of the world's people, intranational and 
international, is today on a scale and in a way never known before. Migra- 
tion of individuals, not the old-time migration of the social group, tends 
toward the losing of a sense-of-home, community background and social 
traditions. 

The effect on the future, through the generation now growing up, and 
soon to be the Citizens of To-morrow, is to be reckoned with. 

'Team work at its 'best is only possible where one is acquainted with, 
and used to, the other half of the team. Where that is lacking other ele- 
ments must be suT^stituted. 

Among the twenty-eight members of the class playing the following 
scene are five born in Ridgewood ; the rest are from fourteen different 
towns in six widely separated states and countries. This is a characteristic 
common to urban and suburban communities. 



Page thirty-seven 



EPISODE IV. 

Scene 1. Part 2. 

18 . Ridgewood. 

Commuters. 

A group of commu'ters hurrying home from the 6.01 train stop at the 
street corner. 

One man. 

Well, I turn oft" here. 

Other man. 

Spring Street ? So do I. You must come from Brooklyn. 

One. 

I did. How do you like it out here ? 

Other. 

It's a healthy place. My wife's throat is much better. Little lonesome 
though. We're newcomers. 

One. 

Same here. Come around some night. {A pause, then enthusiastical- 
ly.) Say, I've a bright idea — ^let's get hold of a bunch of Brooklynites 
and start a club or something. 

Other. 

Fine ! Here comes one now. Say, Green, let me introduce you to 
Grray. What do you say to (etc., etc., etc.) ? 

Lady walks in, looking back at Ridgewood Avenue in indignation. 
Meets friend. 

Oh, how do you do, Mrs. Bee ? Did you see that poor horse with no 
hat on to protect him from the sun ? 

Mrs. Bee. 

Horrible. Why don't somebody do something ahout it ? Is there a So- 
ciety for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals out here ? 

Mrs. Aye. 

I don't think so. Wouldn't it be a good plan to call a meeting? (etc., 
etc., etc.) 

Page thirty -eight 



Two geutlemen on way to station. 

Tom. 
Morning, Bill. What's the matter? Got the blues? Oh, I say, I 
think you look yellow instead ! 

Bill. 
Doctor says liver — not enough exercise. 

Tom. 

Um ' Bowling's good exercise. So's tennis. 

Bill. 
Where ? 

Tom. 
Well now, I've been thinking that if a lot of us fellows got together 
(etc., etc., etc.) 

Two ladies on way to Playhouse. 

Mrs. Zee. 
I wish you'd come out to Ridgewood to live. Why don't you ? 

Mrs. Dee. 
Well, the girls don't want to come. 

Mrs. Zee. 
Why, really ? Why not ? 

Mrs. Dee. 
Because although your boys are so heautifully provided for in the Y. 
M. C. A., athletic clubs, etc., your girls have almost nothing of that sort. 
T feel that such organizations are just as essential for girls as boys. 

Mrs. Zee. 
So do I. J^ow if women only had the ballet we could change all that. 
Mrs. Eigii is such an enthusiastic suffragist. Suppose we ask her to call 
a meeting (etc., etc., etc.) 

The organizations multiply seven fold. Then comes the second stage. 

Mrs. Eye. 
Well, how can we build a clubhouse without more money? 

Mrs. Jay. 
Oh, I'll tell you, let's have a fair. I have some tickets in my bag and 
we can sell them to our friends right now (etc., etc., etc.) 
(^ Repeated with variations.y 

The plague of ticket selling increases, each organization offering them 
to everyone else until all run away with their hands over their ears. 

Page thirty-nine 



Final 



Ridgewood stands alone and as she lifts her eyes to the hills she sees 
the ugly Spirits of Wrong threateningly come nearer. She looks about for 
help and discovers a veiled figure asleep upon 'the hill. Quickly Ridge- 
wood reaches her side and whispers: 

''Awake ! Awake ! See you not the danger that threatens ?" She 
sleeps on and Ridgewood cries again: 

'"Will you not help me ? Oh, v/ho are you ?" Slowly the sleeping 
figure stirs and lifts her veil. 

"Men call me Civic Spirit. In the old days my name was " 

Then she sees the Lord of Wrong and in quick comprehension runs 
swiftly to the hilltop and beckons into the distance. 

Like ghosts of the long ago the Indians and Nature Spirits slip out 
from among the 'trees and to the strains of the Spring Music dance the 
April dance. As before, the first settler appears, the struggle is repeated, 
the call for help answered by another pioneer, and the Spirit of Neighbors 
is re-born as the music rises triumphant in the neighbor motif. 

The scene is drifting away into the Land of Memory, when Ridgewood 
holds out her arms, appealing to the Neighbor Sj)irit to return. As she 
comes nearer, Ridgewood says wonderingly: 

"But you are Civic Spirit." 

And the Spirit answers : 

"Aye, and of Neighbors too — we are one !" 

Then the organizations return waving their banners. The Neighbor 
Spirit unfurls her standard, lifts it on high, and all read thereon the legend, 
"Together, for the Common Good !" She points to the prowling Wrongs 
that have come nearer and turns VA^th a gesture of appeal to the organiza- 
tions. A number of them assem'ble at once under the new standard; but, 
seeing the others hold aloof, she lifts a trumpet to her lips and blows a call 
north, east, south and west for the Citizens of To-morrow. From the 
listening world below a fife and drimi corps run up the hill and take their 
stand by the Spirit's side, sounding a thrilling assembly call. The graduat- 
ing classes of Harrison, Kenilworth, Beech-Union and Monroe answer. 
Education hands them their enlistment papers and they march toward the 
Land of the Unknown Future. The dark Spirits sweep down upon the 
children. At their cry of alarm all the organizations swiftly surround 
the Neighbor 'banner and stand together between the children and the Lord 
of Wrongs who retreats a little way. 

Page forty 



Seeing this the people crj, ''Call more neighbors!" The trumpet 
sounds and Hohokus, Paramus, Glen Rock and Midland Park enter and 
take their stand with Ridgewood, and the Spirits of Wrong go further 
back. 

New Jersey descends the hill and the Spirit of Neighbors standing by 
her side again lifts the trumpet. New York, the Atlantic, Delaware and 
Pennsylvania take their places under the banner, "Together for the Com- 
mon Good," and the Lord of Wrong retreats to the hilltop. 

Once more the cry, "Yet more neighbors," Colum'bia appears on the 
height, and for the last time the trumpet is blown to the four corners of 
the earth: South America, mourning Europe, Asia and Africa, league the 
world in the new warfare of Humanity against the Lord of Wrong, who 
disappears below the horizon to stay as long as the League holds. Turn- 
ing to the Spirit of Neighbors the people sing a hymn as they follow her 
up the heights into the Land of To-morrow which shall be the Land of To- 
day when the children grow up. 



Page forty-one 



THE SPIRIT OF NEIGHBORS 

1. Spirit of Neighbors, by whose courage 

Of kindly heart and helping hand 
Our fathers dared all unknown danger 
And built our homes within this land — 
'Twas for the children, for the future, 
For a country that should stand. 

2. 'Spirit of Neighbors, 'twas for freedom 

From Valley Forge to Bunker Hill 
Our fathers held this land together 
And, though we quarreled, hold it still ; 
'Twas for the children, for the future, 
Our country's purpose to fulfill. 

3. Spirit of Neighbors, we inherit 

The home they won, the country free; 
We pay our debt unto the future. 
Give us the vision to foresee J 
'Tis in our hands to help or hinder 
Every child from sea to sea. 

4. Spirit of Neighbors, Lord of Nations, 

The world rocks with the war of hate, 
Yet Thy Commandment, Love each other, 
'Shall conquer war, shall recreate 
The song of courage for the future 
For the CHILDREN, for the STATE. 



Page forty-two 



SPIRIT OF NEIGHBORS 






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Page forty-three 



LIBRftRY OF CONGRESS 

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